Eriocephalus africanus
Eriocephalus africanus, commonly known as a vital medicinal herb in various African cultures, plays a significant role in traditional healing practices. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, this plant is frequently utilized to treat inflammatory conditions and infections, offering a natural approach to wellness rooted in deep ethnobotanical heritage.
- Scientific name: Eriocephalus africanus
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asterales, it is further categorized under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Eriocephalus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Eriocephalus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Eriocephalus africanus, is known by several different common names depending on the language and regional context. In German, it is referred to as Afrikanischer Rosmarin, Wilder Rosmarin, or Afrikanischer Wollkopf, while in Afrikaans, it is commonly called Wilderoosmaryn.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Afrikanischer Rosmarin | Wikidata |
| af | Wilderoosmaryn | Wikidata |
| de | Wilder Rosmarin | Wikidata |
| de | Afrikanischer Wollkopf | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread and fragmented geographical distribution across several continents. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is specifically noted on the island of Sardegna. Its range extends to the Macaronesian region, where it can be found in Madeira. Moving to the southern hemisphere, the species is established within the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. Finally, it has also been documented in the Australian territory of New South Wales.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
| Australia | New South Wales | WCVP |
Activities
Eriocephalus africanus has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antipyretic.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Eriocephalus africanus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, fever.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |